Journal Junction for March 10

March 10, 2014

Editor's note: Journal Junction offers the public a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out problems and review the events of the day in a constructive manner. Journal Junction comments should be limited to two to four sentences and be no longer than 80 words. Longer comments should be submitted as "Letters to the Editor,"?which is a separate forum. The Journal's classified ads section offers help to those with lost or found items. This is a sampling of comments received today. Any others, subject to editing, are published in the online Journal Junction at www.journal-news.net under opinions.

From Martinsburg:

Has the law that bans using handheld devices in West Virginia been repealed? It seems that one in five cars I pass, the driver has their cellphone up to their ear.

From Charles Town:

Emergency services in Jefferson County have had their budget cut by 20 percent. The spending spree by County Commission has ended, now basic services are slashed. Support fundraising by firefighters now if you want services, because our taxes will not. Ever wonder where that casino money goes? So do I!

From Martinsburg:

I am a smoker... unfortunately. It is a nasty addiction, dirty, smelly, etc. I am one that will not subject my habit to those who don't smoke. I never smoked around my son, and think I am courteous when it comes to others' rights. I want to quit ... but it's a process. Come on, fellow smokers ... think of other people, too.

From Martinsburg:

Please people; with all due respect, we all do forget things. New York Avenue doesn't intersect with W.Va. 9. It intersects with W.Va. 45. W.Va. 9 exits onto Queen Street and W.Va. 45 enters Apple Harvest at that same point westward. Please get your maps out before being an expert.

From Inwood:

We have a special burglar alarm system. It keeps the criminal there until the coroner arrives. It's made by Smith & Wesson!

From Shenandoah Junction:

To Gerrardstown, who stated: "the caller who says those with alcoholism have only themselves to blame: Yes. I blame them when they go out on the road and kill innocent people. How many people have died from smokers on the road compared to drinkers? Get a life." I don't think there are any statistics on this, but I have seen smokers driving while distracted and not paying attention to the road.

From Shenandoah Junction:

To Pikeside who stated, "I can't understand why, if you don't want to be around secondhand smoke, don't go anywhere where there is smoke ..." Unfortunately, smokers seem to be everywhere - even outside when I'm taking my daily fitness walk and/or entering buildings, or when I'm stopped at a light sitting next to a car with a smoker who has their window(s) down. Ever hear of e-cigarettes?

From Charles Town:

They want to know if children should go to school year-round. The answer is NO. Our society is starting to forget they are children, not adults supporting families. Let children be children. They can only have the summer off as children. The rest of their lives will be working and feeding families. Parenting is work, but our schools are not to be used as day-care centers, and meal tickets. Children need structured lives, and they begin at home with love.

From Gerrardstown:

To the contributor from Berkeley County: Do you expect us to believe that the Republicans are to blame for Obama's lack of action to the Russian invasion of Crimea? But Obama has taken action. Russia gets to keep Crimea, but Russia's leaders cannot get visas to the US. I guess that is what our President meant when he said there would be great costs to Russia for the invasion. What a decisive leader!

From Martinsburg:

Home rule or libertarian socialism? I think many of the proponents of home rule would be surprised at their embracing of socialist idealism.

From Martinsburg:

The good ole boy council has won again. We lost another hardworking, honest and caring employee yesterday. Keep voting for these contractors and watch Berkeley County go down the toilet! We will all miss you, Miss Deborah.

From Martinsburg:

Where's the media on Obama's misspelling of RESPECT?

From Martinsburg:

After reading the description in The Journal regarding the woman who was found dead by a family member, it sounds like a home invasion! People, please, lock your doors and windows and don't open your doors to anyone! Family members: If you have seniors living alone, make sure there are dead bolts on doors, motion lights installed outside and for real peace of mind an alarm installed or worn around the neck! It's not a frivolous expense; it's a necessity.

From Airport Road:

I have one word to describe our leaders of America: disgraceful.

Web-exclusive Journal Junctions:

From Martinsburg:

I was traveling north on Winchester Avenue Friday night and saw a sign along the road advertising for a bingo for profit. The sign was placed just prior to South Berkeley Vol. Fire Co. Those firemen are raising funds to pay for much needed equipment. Pretty low placing a sign there trying to get players to pad your pockets more.